<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n After checking out of the Anantara Layan we had arranged for car service to the Ao Po Grand Marina Pier. The pier is on the north east side of Phuket Island and our car ride took about 30 minutes from the Anantara. At the pier we arranged to have our luggage transferred to the Santhiya group and waited in a small marina sandwich shop for 20 minutes, after which they called our group for boarding. Everyone walked down the dock and loaded onto the resort speed boat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>All aboard<\/p>\n The boat ride on this day was on calm water and the entire trip lasted about 30 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/a>In the marina<\/p>\n <\/a>Ko Li Pe island<\/p>\n <\/a>Ko sup island<\/p>\n <\/a>Getting close<\/p>\n Once you arrive at Santhiya\u2019s private pier the resort staff assists you off the boat and you take a leisurely walk down the dock and to the hotel check-in area. The walk takes just a few minutes and check-in area is a large room encased with natural teakwood finishes and furniture. This hand carved wood is used extensively throughout the entire resort. It\u2019s a very handsome and rich look, that also epitomizes a decidedly Thai feel.<\/p>\n <\/a>Approaching the pier<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>Disembarkment<\/p>\n <\/a>Waking down the pier<\/p>\n On entering the receiving room, you remove your shoes and are escorted to small table for check in formalities. Before business starts you are given a cold towel that is scented with lemon grass and a cool welcoming beverage. The fans blow a cool breeze from above and there are bathrooms available if needed. The entire process was welcoming, fast, and civilized which is exactly what you want on a hot and muggy day after traveling.<\/p>\n <\/a>Initial welcoming<\/p>\n <\/a>Check in space<\/p>\n <\/a>Cool beverage<\/p>\n <\/a>Confirmation of check-in<\/p>\n After confirming a few check-in details and waiting a few minutes you are escorted through the resort to the wooden car pick up zone. These “wooden cars” are small pick-up trucks that have been converted into resort transportation. They would typically have 2 facing benches with a protective roof and they were made to match the resorts rich natural wood look. Although anyone can tell this is a converted pick-up truck, I thought jump-in jump-out nature of wooden car was charming. It worked well for the hilly sprawling nature of the resort.<\/p>\n <\/a>Friendly neighbors at the resort<\/p>\nThe Setup: Unforeseen Events<\/strong><\/a>
\nIntroduction: Planning for Thailand<\/strong><\/a>
\nReview: Cathay Pacific Lounge SFO<\/strong><\/a>
\nReview: Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong<\/strong><\/a>
\nReview: The Pier, Hong Kong International Airport<\/strong><\/a>
\nReview: Dragonair International Business Class – Hong Kong To Phuket<\/strong><\/a>
\nReview: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Deluxe Seaview Suite<\/strong><\/a>
\nBoat Transfer &\u00a0Check-in:\u00a0The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa<\/strong><\/a>
\nReview: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai – Ocean View Pool Villa Suite<\/strong>
\nReview: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort<\/strong>
\nDay Trip: National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago<\/strong>
\nFinal Thoughts & Monkey Business – Santhiya Koh Yao Yai<\/strong>
\nReview: Thai Royal Orchid Lounge – Phuket<\/strong>
\nReview: Lux Pay In Lounge – Phuket<\/strong>
\nReview: Dragonair International Business Class – Phuket To Hong Kong<\/strong>
\nReview: Regal Airport Hotel – Superior Room<\/strong>
\nReview: Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago<\/strong>
\nReview: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Chicago<\/strong>
\nReview: American Airlines Domestic First Class – Chicago To San Francisco<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n\u00a0<\/a>Loading from pier<\/h4>\n